What Social Security Disability Benefits Are

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program that pays monthly cash to people under age 65 who have a medical condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and who have worked and paid Social Security taxes. You do not need to be poor to receive it — the program is based on your work history, not your income or assets.

There is a separate program called Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for people who have never worked enough to may have access to for SSDI, or who worked but do not have enough work credits. SSI is means-tested, meaning your income and assets do matter. Both programs are run by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The distinction matters because the rules, the monthly payment amounts, and what you can earn while receiving benefits are different. This guide covers both, but you will need to determine which one you might be considered for based on your work history.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI requires you to have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of years; SSI does not require work history but limits your income and assets.
  • You must have a medical condition that prevents substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death — the SSA uses a specific list of conditions and a step-by-step medical review process.
  • The application process takes several months, and most people are initially denied; you can request reconsideration or a hearing before an administrative law judge.
  • Once approved, you can earn a limited amount of money each month without losing benefits, but the limit varies by program and changes yearly.
  • You must report changes in your medical condition, work status, living situation, and income to the SSA, or your benefits may be stopped or reduced.

Work History and Credits Required for SSDI

To receive SSDI, you must have earned enough work credits by paying Social Security taxes through employment. You earn one credit for each $1,680 of wages in 2024 (this amount changes yearly). You can earn up to four credits per year, so you need at least 10 years of work history to have the maximum credits.

The exact number of credits you need depends on your age when you become disabled. If you are under 24, you may need only six credits earned in the three years before you became disabled. If you are 24 to 31, you generally need credits for half the years between age 21 and the year you became disabled. If you are 31 or older, you typically need 40 credits total, with at least 20 earned in the 10 years before you became disabled.

You can check your work record and credits by creating an account on ssa.gov and viewing your Social Security Statement. If you have not worked enough years, you may still be able to receive SSI instead, which has no work requirement.

Medical Conditions the SSA Considers Disabling

The SSA maintains a list called the Blue Book that describes conditions in body systems — nervous system, musculoskeletal system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, digestive system, genitourinary system, hemic and lymphatic system, skin, endocrine system, multiple body systems, mental disorders, cancer, and immune system disorders. If your condition matches one of these listings and meets the severity requirements, approval can be faster.

You do not have to match a listing exactly. The SSA also considers whether your condition, in combination with your age, education, and work experience, prevents you from doing any work. This is called a residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment. An RFC describes what you can still do physically and mentally — for example, whether you can sit for eight hours, lift 10 pounds, remember instructions, or interact with the public.

Common conditions that lead to approval include severe arthritis, back injuries with nerve damage, cancer undergoing active treatment, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes with complications, mental illness (depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders), intellectual disability, and neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis. The SSA will request medical records from your doctors and may order its own medical examination.

How to Start the Application Process

You can apply for SSDI or SSI online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or in person at your local Social Security office. Online applications typically take 15 to 20 minutes. You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, and information about your medical condition and work history.

The SSA will ask you to list all doctors, hospitals, and mental health providers who have treated you, along with dates of treatment. Bring or upload medical records showing your diagnosis, test results, and treatment. If you do not have recent records, the SSA can request them from your providers, but this slows the process. You will also need to describe your typical day, what activities you can and cannot do, and how your condition affects your ability to work.

After you submit your application, the SSA sends it to your state's Disability information Services (DDS) office, which is a separate agency that makes the initial decision. This step typically takes 30 to 90 days, though it can take longer if the DDS needs more medical information. You will receive a letter in the mail with the decision.

Timeline and What Happens After You Apply

Most people are denied on their first application. This does not mean you are ineligible — it means the DDS decided the evidence did not yet show that your condition meets the SSA's definition of disability. You have the right to request reconsideration, which sends your case to a different examiner at the DDS. This takes another 30 to 90 days.

If you are denied again, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). This is where many people are approved, because you can present evidence in person, answer questions, and have a representative (often a disability lawyer) argue your case. Waiting for a hearing can take 6 to 18 months depending on your local hearing office's backlog. During this entire process, you are not receiving benefits, but if you are eventually approved, you may receive back pay to the date you applied.

If you are approved, your benefits begin the following month. For SSDI, the amount is based on your lifetime earnings record and is typically between $800 and $3,822 per month in 2024, though this varies. For SSI, the federal payment is $943 per month in 2024 for an individual, but many states add a supplement. Some people receive both SSDI and SSI if their SSDI payment is very low.

How Much You Can Earn While Receiving Benefits

Both SSDI and SSI allow you to work and earn some money without losing your entire benefit. For SSDI, you can earn up to $1,550 per month in 2024 without affecting your benefits during a trial work period of nine months. After the trial work period, you enter an extended may be able to access period where you can earn up to $2,590 per month without losing benefits. If you earn more than this amount, your benefits are reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above the limit.

For SSI, the limit is lower: you can earn up to $65 per month plus half of any earnings above that without losing benefits. This means if you earn $200 per month, your SSI payment is reduced by $67.50 (half of $135). The SSI rules are stricter because the program is means-tested.

These limits change yearly. You must report your earnings to the SSA every month, or your benefits may be overpaid and you will owe the money back. If you plan to work, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to understand how your specific situation will be affected.

Reporting Changes and Keeping Your Benefits

Once you are receiving SSDI or SSI, you must report certain changes to the SSA within 10 days. These include: starting or stopping work, a change in your earnings, a change in your living situation (moving, getting married, divorce), a change in your household members, a change in your medical condition or treatment, or receiving other income or benefits.

The SSA also conducts periodic reviews to confirm you are still disabled. For SSDI, the frequency depends on whether your condition is expected to improve. If improvement is possible, you may be reviewed every one to three years. If improvement is unlikely, reviews may be every five to seven years. For SSI, reviews are typically every one to six years, and you must also report changes in your income and assets.

If you do not report changes or if the SSA determines you are no longer disabled, your benefits will stop. If you were overpaid, you may be asked to repay the money. If you disagree with a decision to stop your benefits, you can request reconsideration or a hearing, just as you did when you first applied.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive SSDI or SSI if I have never worked?

If you have never worked, you cannot receive SSDI because it requires work credits. You may be able to receive SSI if you are under 65, have a disabling condition, and have limited income and assets. SSI does not require work history. If you are 65 or older and have never worked, you may be able to receive Supplemental Security Income for the aged, blind, and disabled.

What is the difference between being denied and being found not disabled?

The SSA uses the term "denied" when your application is rejected. This means the SSA reviewed your medical evidence and work history and determined you do not meet the definition of disability under Social Security rules. You can request reconsideration or a hearing to challenge this decision. Being denied does not prevent you from applying again later if your condition worsens.

Can I work part-time and still receive SSDI?

Yes. During your nine-month trial work period, you can earn up to $1,550 per month without losing any benefits. After that, you can continue working and earning up to $2,590 per month while still receiving reduced benefits. If you earn more, your payment decreases. You must report your earnings to the SSA each month.

How long does it take to hear back after I apply?

The initial decision from your state's Disability information Services office typically takes 30 to 90 days. If you are denied and request reconsideration, add another 30 to 90 days. If you request a hearing before an administrative law judge, you may wait 6 to 18 months depending on your area. The entire process from application to approval can take one to three years or longer.

What happens to my benefits if I move to another state?

Your SSDI or SSI benefits continue if you move. You do not need to reapply. However, if you receive SSI and move to a state with a different supplement amount, your payment may change. You must notify the SSA of your new address within 10 days of moving. You can report the change online, by phone, or in person at your new local Social Security office.